LinkedIn working on ‘AI Coach’ to assist users in job search, upskilling

Microsoft-owned professional networking platform, LinkedIn, is working on an artificial intelligence (AI)-based tool to help job seekers through job application process. The new tool called “AI Coach” will reportedly help aspirants find and apply for jobs more efficiently.

The update was shared by app researcher Nima Owji on Twitter. He wrote that LinkedIn is working on AI coach that will help job aspirants apply for jobs, upskill themselves, explore ways to expand their professional network.

#Linkedin is working on LinkedIn Coach!

It's an AI ASSISTANT that helps you apply for JOBS, learn new SKILLS, and find more ways to CONNECT with your network! pic.twitter.com/jKBrPmEFJt

— Nima Owji (@nima_owji) July 27, 2023

Owji shared an image which reveals that the AI coach will look similar to Microsoft’s Bing chatbot. You will be able to ask questions like how does AI coach work or enquire about the work culture of a company from the coach.

Microsoft in recent months has been using chatbots in everything from Bing to Microsoft 365 Office document Copilot. Last week, the company said that the Copilot will be available for commercial customers for $30 per user per month for Microsoft 365 E3, E5, Business Standard and Business Premium customers when broadly available. In March, the company also launched a coding chatbot for GitHub in beta.

Last month, LinkedIn unveiled a new AI feature that generates a first draft for users after they share at least 30 words describing what they want to say. The company was testing this experience before rolling it out to all users. Also, the platform had introduced an AI-generated Copy Suggestions tool that uses generative AI to create high-performing intro text and headlines for ad creative professionals by leveraging data from an advertiser's LinkedIn Page.

To be sure, AI-powered tools are becoming increasingly advanced, and they are capable of performing several tasks involved in finding a job. The AI coach proves to be a major step in this direction. It can help job seekers by saving their time and effort.

A report published on 1 July compiled by job search portal Indeed revealed that there has been a 150% surge in job postings on AI-based platforms in India over the last five years. Similar trends in job searches were also witnessed in other countries like Singapore and the United States, which saw 94.7% and 30% jump in AI job listing. Indeed’s data also showed a 89% surge in searches for jobs in generative AI and large language models in March, compared to the same month in 2018.

However, the emergence of AI also posed new challenges like development of skilled talent and upskilling of the existing workforce. In recent times there has been a lot of speculation regarding the probability of jobs getting automated with the emergence of AI, which may lead to job losses or layoffs.

A research report released by Goldman Sachs in April suggests 26% of the tasks in different fields have the potential to be automated. However, the Future of Jobs report 2023 published by the World Economic Forum (WEF) on 30 April indicates that AI will give rise to prominent roles such as machine learning specialists, scientists, data analysts and digital transformational specialists, which will create new job opportunities as well.